MLB trade rumors: Red Sox reportedly interested in deals for Shin-Soo Choo, Justin Masterson

Two vital cogs in Cleveland over the last few seasons, Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and starting pitcher Justin Masterson have each perked the interest of the Boston Red Sox according to a report by Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

The 27-year-old Masterson was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the second round in 2006, and made 67 appearances in a Boston uniform before being shipped off to Cleveland as a piece of the Victor Martinez deal. He looked to have turned a corner in 2011 with a 12-win campaign where he posted a stellar 3.21 earned-run average, but the hard-throwing right-hander struggled mightily this past year with a woeful 4.93 ERA and career-high 15 losses. Even so, Morosi indicates that new Red Sox manager John Farrell, who was Masterson's pitching coach while in Boston, still covets the 6'6, 250-pound starter as much as anyone in the game.

Despite only having one year left on his contract, Choo would fill a significant need for a Red Sox team that currently has just one proven outfielder in leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox are currently stocked with plenty of intriguing prospects following their midseason deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and may be inclined to give the Indians a handful of youngsters to build around if both Choo and Masterson are involved in the deal.